Compositions and method for treating affective, painful or allergic disorders

Abstract

Therapeutic compositions of doxepin and having a preponderance of the cis doxepin isomer over the trans doxepin isomer provide therapeutic effects for affective, painful, or allergic disorders without the sedative effects commonly experienced with compositions having a preponderance of the trans doxepin isomer.

1. A method of treating affective, painful or allergic disorders in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising treatment with an effective amount of a composition containing a preponderance of cis doxepin isomer over trans doxepin isomer, said cis doxepin isomer being present in an amount of about 0.01% to about 10.0% by weight in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, said composition being comparable in efficacy to compositions containing a preponderance of the trans doxepin isomer but with significantly less sedation and wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and urticaria and the treatment is applying the composition to skin. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein said cis doxepin isomer is present in the amount of about 0.05-5.0% by weight. 
     
     
       3. A method of treating affective, painful, or allergic disorders by oral administration to a subject in need thereof and the treatment comprising an effective amount of a composition containing a preponderance of cis doxepin isomer over trans doxepin isomer, said cis doxepin isomer being present in an amount of about 0.5-500.0 mg per dose or 5 ml portion of liquid in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, said composition being comparable in efficacy to compositions containing a preponderance of trans doxepin isomer but with significantly less sedative side effects and wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of atopic dermatitis and urticaria. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein said cis doxepin isomer is present in the amount of about 1.0-50.0 mg per dose. 
     
     
       5. A method of treating allergic conjunctivitis by applying to eyes an effective amount of a composition containing a preponderance of cis doxepin isomer over trans doxepin isomer, wherein said cis doxepin isomer is present in the amount of about 0.05-5.0% by weight.